Help Evaluate Birdcage Pictures
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
Help Evaluate Birdcage Pictures
My current project (frame off resto-mod - frame just came back from powdercoat, all new everything chassis wise is sitting ready to go on) came to a quick hault when I found some rust around the windshield frame, and upon removing the windshield and further inspection found the lower corners behind the firewall nearly gone. I'm capable of removing the front end and the work (don't want to), but the car is stripped as bare as can be right now, and if I can find a better shell to work with for the right price, it'll save me time and money. Especially if it's a much better and more valuable year 
, which is exactly what I found. ...not giving to many details at the moment as still negotiating.
Here are some cell phone shots I just received of birdcage sections. This car is also bare bones, but windshield has not been removed so owner is unsure of birdcage condition. He used it as a parts car for his project. FYI - it is a fiberglass floor pan car.
What do you think, obviously there is some rust - typical? Worry some?
, which is exactly what I found. ...not giving to many details at the moment as still negotiating.Here are some cell phone shots I just received of birdcage sections. This car is also bare bones, but windshield has not been removed so owner is unsure of birdcage condition. He used it as a parts car for his project. FYI - it is a fiberglass floor pan car.
What do you think, obviously there is some rust - typical? Worry some?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
...this is the first time I've seen the pictures blown up that big. There is def. some rot it looks like. :-/ Just wonder if it's just the lower pocket, or similar up top. I'm OK with dealing with some work and replacing some areas, just trying to stay away from separating the front end. The car is a year I really want, is within a few hours driving distance, already stripped, etc. etc. Kind of a perfect scenario for me, just don't want to end up with the same situation I have.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
The second picture looks like it is pitted, I would wire wheel it and see what it looks like then. I would then poke it with a screw driver to see if it goes through. If the metal is solid I would get one of those rust treatments and use that then paint it. The first I would vacuum it out to see how much rust you have and to check to see how solid the metal is. If it is just surface pits I would treat it the same as picture 2. I did this to a 77 I had and never had any of the rust return after I did that work. Also after it is fixed most of these cars don't see a great deal of water like they did when they were used everyday.
I would also remove the windshield to see if that area is solid. The 80 I have now I replaced the glass and when I removed it there was rust, but not enough to warrant replacement of the metal. I treated it and put the new glass in.
I would also remove the windshield to see if that area is solid. The 80 I have now I replaced the glass and when I removed it there was rust, but not enough to warrant replacement of the metal. I treated it and put the new glass in.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
Alan - Good catch! I knew that question was going to come up while I was typing the original post. After some previous research, yeah, I'm in good shape with some minor modifications via some custom brackets etc. on ONE end of the car 
Ddawson - Thanks for rubbing it in! That looks absolutely perfect. Very nice. ...if I ever started with something that nice I'd probably be one of those all original guys!
..I figured Alan would have one up too , but I think you beat him to it.
Ddawson - Thanks for rubbing it in! That looks absolutely perfect. Very nice. ...if I ever started with something that nice I'd probably be one of those all original guys!
..I figured Alan would have one up too , but I think you beat him to it.
Last edited by Ibanez540r; Dec 31, 2013 at 09:00 PM.
